Sole-waxing machine



Nov. 20, 1928.

W. A. COPELAND SOLE WAXING MACHINE Filed Dec. 9, 1925 4 Sheets-Sheet E mm me E m m A-W w W w Nov. 20, 1928.

4 Sheets- Sheet Filed Dec 9,

Nov. 20, 1928.

4 Shets-Sheet 4 Filed Dec. 9, 1925 Patented Nov. 20, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.)

VJILLIAM A. COPELAND, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS; ASSIGIFOR TO IN TERNATIONi LL SHOE COMPANY, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

SOLE-WAXING MACHINE;

Application filed December 9 v1925. Seria1 No. 74,37 8;

This invention relates to mechanism for coating a surface with a liquid, and is especially adapted for applying a coating of hot wax to the bottoms of shoe soles. Heretofore, the application of the wax has been difficult, as the methods so far devised have proved to be incapable of applying a thorough, even coating in a relatively brief time. By my invention, hot wax is picked up from a container and is quickly and evenly applied to the soles, the wax being to some extent worked into the surface of the soles. 7

Further advantageous features will be found in the device as illustrated in the drawings, in which Figure 1 is a .lde elevation of a waX-a nolys ing; machine embodying my invention.

Figure 2 isa plan of the same.

Figure 3 is a detail section of the wax-lifting wheel taken on the. line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a side view of a portion of an applicator chain. 7

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5-5 ofFigure4. M

Figure 6 shows how the applicators engage the sole of a shoe.

Figure 7 is a view on the line 77 ofFigure2. l

Figure- 8 is a section on the line 8 ,8 of Figure 2. y

Figure 9 is'a section on the line 99 of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawing in detail, 10 indicates a container for melted wax or any other desired fluid, which maybe providedwith heating units 11. A suitable wheel 12 is keyed on a shaft 13 to .feed the fluid by dipping a portion of its rim into the'liquid and lifting a film of liquid from the container as the wheel is rotated. A ratchet 14 is fixed to the shaft 13 and is engaged by a pawl 17 carried by a disk 17 which is loosely mounted on the shaft 13 and is oscillated by a link 15, the latter being eccentrioally connected to low, as indicated in Figure 6.

23. Each chain preferably comprises a series of work-engagingmembers 24. These members may be formed, as shown in Figure ,5, with relatively narrow body portions 24" on both sides of which links24 may be attached to connect successive members together into a chain. The body portion 24' is preferably surmounted by a broader work-engaging portion 25, the flat surface 25 thereof being clesame time removing any excess of liquid that 7 may have been received thereon. The workengaging links 24 of the three chains 19, 20, y

21, are preferably in staggered relation, as

shown in Figure 2. A heating unit 27may be supported, as by a bracket 28, adjacent to a portion of the chains to, heat them as they pass by. The applicatorchains are yieldingly tensio ned to any desired degree by a spring 29 which is attached to anend of a lever 30 in the opposite end of which is journaled the idle shaft 22 which carries the sprockets, one

set ofsprockets supporting-the applicator chains. The other set of sprockets is carried by the shaft 23, which is driven through mitre gears 31, 32, from a shaft The lever 30 is suitably mounted, as at 34,0n a bracket 35- projecting from the machine base 36 This base also carries asuitable standard 37, on which the above described mechanism is supported. The base 36 also carries asupport and housing 38 for the transmission mechanism which drives the shaft 33 and the liquid applying mechanism connected therewith. When; using the apparatus, the article to be coated, such as a shoe sole, is preferably held against the applicator chains from be- I The work-en gaging surfaces 25 of the chain links having received a quantity of liquid from the wheel 12, which liquid has been spread over the faces evenly by the wiper 26, rub the liquid on and into the surface of the work as it is The large moved transversely of the chains. number of links engaging the work in the process of coating it ensures a thorough ap plication of an'even smooth coat.

The power transmission mechanism comprises a suitable cham 39 connectlng a sprocket 40 mounted on a shaft 33 with another sprocket a1 mounted on the shaft 42.-

shaft as to take the lateral thrust of the gear 46 on the pinion 45. The gear 46 is mounted on a shaft 4;? which carries a driving pulley 4:8 and an idle pulley 49, about which a belt extends from any convenient source of power. A-belt shifter 50 is slidably mounted on the casing 38 to move the belt from one pulley to the other. A hand plate 51 is provided for operating the belt shifter.

It is to be understood that this invention is not limited by the disclosure in the drawing and the description contained herein, but is subject to any modifications and changes which fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim 1. In a device of the class described, a liquid container, means for heating the container, means for feeding liquid from the container, means for transferring the liquid from the feeding means and applying it to work held thereagainst, said transferring and applying means comprising a plurality of chains positioned side by side for contact with said feeding means; means adjacent a portion of said chains for heating said chains, and means for maintaining a yielding tension on said chains. a

2. In a device of the class described, a liquid container, a wheel positioned with a portion of its periphery immersed in the liquid, means for rotating said wheel, and means for transferring liquid from said wheel and applying it to work held tl1ereagainst,said transferring and applying means comprising a series of members having work-engaging faces, links connecting successive members into an endless chain, sprockets for supporting saidchain, one of the sprockets being driven, and means for maintaining a yielding tension on said chain.

3. The combination with a liquid container and means for feeding liquid from the container, of means for applying liquid to work held thereagainst comprising a plurality of endless chains positioned side by side, having series of members with work-engaging faces, said series being in staggered relation and said members being'adapted to receive liquid from the feeding means and rub it on the surface of the work, and means for spreading the liquid received from the feeding means over the work-engaging faces of said members.

4. In a device of the class described, a liquid container, means for heating the container, means for feeding liquid from the container,- an elongated flexible endless carrier having a comparatively straight stretch and arranged to contact with said feeding means and receive liquid therefrom, a wiper engaging the carrier, and means for heating the carrier positioned adjacent thereto.

5. In amachine for applying melted wax to shoe sol-es, a wax container, means for heating the container, means for feeding melted wax from the containen'means comprising an endless carrier for rcceivi war: from said feeding means and applying it'to a sole held thereagainst, means for maintaining a tension on the carrier, and stationary means for heating the carrier.

6. In a device of the class described, a liquid container, means for heating the container,

means for feeding liquid from the container,

an endless carrier arranged to contact with said feeding means and receive liquid there from, said carrier having a horizontally dis posed portion for engaging work applied thereto, and a liquid-spreading device in contact with the carrier at a point betweenthe feeding means and the work engaging portion of the carrier.

7. In a device of the class described, a liquid container, means for heating the container, means for feeding liquid from the container, an endless carrier arranged to receive liquid therefrom, a pair of wheels supporting said carrier with a pair of substantially horizontal stretches thereof between them, saidfeeding means being arranged to contact said carrier adjacent to an end of the-lower of said horizontal stretches, a. wiper contacting said lower stretch adjacent to said feeding means, a heating device adjacent to the upper of said stretches, means for maintaining tension on said carrier, and means for driving one of said wheels. I

In testimony whereof I have aflixed' my signature.

WILLIAM A. COPELAND. 

